"Belgian media puts a lot of pressure on the riders" - De Schuyteneer avoiding pre-Vuelta stress as he focuses on building Grand Tour engine
CyclingThursday, 20 August 2026 at 13:03
Steffen De Schuyteneer thinks that pressure put on young Belgian riders from the country's media is just outside noise, and what makes riders feel the weight of it depends on how much of it they let in their heads.
The Lotto-Intermarché sprinter has experienced the weight of expectations first hand, and as he heads to his first Grand Tour at the 2026 Vuelta a España, paints a clam picture as he hopes to build his three-week engine on Spanish roads.
Notorious for their heavy scrutiny of Belgian prospects and established riders, the country's media take cycling very seriously. Compared to other nations and cultures, cycling is considered one of the most important sports in Belgium as they boast a rich history of racing and success across the past century.
For young riders aspiring to emulate the greats, that pressure and comparison can be constricting. 21-year-old De Schuyteneer has worked on not giving in to pressure as he insisted he's just a 'normal guy' ahead of his Vuelta baptism.
With victories at the Tour of Istanbul and Taihu Lake to his name, he has built up an impressive catalogue of top ten performances in 2026, ranging from WorldTour UAE Tour and Tour de Pologne sprints to impressive placings in Scheldeprijs and Brussels Cycling Classic.
“They said it was an option to go to the Vuelta, so if that’s an option you have to take it. It’s more like a lesson for me, to get the first Grand Tour, especially to build the engine," he told Domestique.
De Schuyteneer on Belgian media and pressure
“They did it in the past with younger riders, to develop. It’s a good Grand Tour to start your first Grand Tour, because it’s less stress than the Giro, and the Tour is the biggest one.”
Stress doesn't infect his performances as he insisted that he keeps himself grounded. Noting the commentary on social media and publications, De Schuyteneer is trying to control the amount of pressure he puts on himself.
“I don’t really have stress before the race. It doesn’t matter what they are talking about in the Belgian media. I’m also just a normal guy from Belgium who goes to the farmer fields here in Geraardsbergen.
“As a young rider you look a bit to the Belgian media and what they write on Twitter [now X, Ed.] or Facebook. I think the Belgian media puts a lot of pressure on the riders, but it’s also the rider that puts a lot on himself.”
In terms of team environment, he praised Lotto-Intermarché as they attempt to give him opportunities rather than ultimatums, noting that the merge of last winter hasn't been plain sailing but expects things to improve.
Steffen De Schuyteneer
Pressure from team? Rider's Vuelta ambitions
“Sometimes you feel it a bit from the team, but not really, because they just give me my chances. If I do a bad sprint, it’s not that they’re going to kick me out of the team, or next race you have to be the bottle guy. It’s a nice team.
“I think we have a quite decent season after the merger, because it’s not easy how it really goes. The first year of a merger is always the worst, so I think from next year on it will improve. And now the second part I think will be better also.”
With the Vuelta just two days away, finishing is on the 21-year-old's mind as he seeks to get three weeks under his belt. 2027 drifts into view as another run at the classics and big sprints are also an appetising prospect.
“First of all, to finish. Because it’s my first Grand Tour. And then we have to see. Actually I want to do a good prologue also next Saturday, so hopefully that goes well.
“It can still go every way. I can go to the sprints but also to the classics. We’ll see in the future how it goes.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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